Florida just picked up 2 new seats in the U.S. House making it the biggest swing prize in the presidential election.

The new seats give Florida equal standing with New York; and only California and Texas will have more electoral college votes -- though neither state is considered up for grabs like Florida.

The boost is expected to help Republicans -- who already control 2/3 of the seats in the state -- but some say privately the party may have a tough time carving out two new seats without jeopardizing incumbents. Early projections had estimated as many as two seats for Florida -- despite a housing slump. The estimates didn't take into account for overseas U.S. military personnel and their families.

The bureau in February will release population and race breakdowns down to the neighborhood level for states to begin redrawing the congressional boundaries.